Coffee & Geography 5x23 The Denver Complex and Fens 2100+ Programme (with the Environment Agency)

Join Kit Marie at the Denver Complex in the East Anglian Fens—one of the UK’s largest tidal and fluvial management systems, second only to the Thames Barrier yet hidden in plain sight. In this special field episode, Environment Agency experts Louise Wilson (Strategy Advisor, Fens 2100+) and Amy Shaw (Fens Flood Risk Manager & Fens 2100+ Programme Director), alongside Katie Teesdale-Ward (Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Future Fens: Integrated Adaptation, based at Anglian Water), reveal how this 24/7 operational marvel sustains an area of almost half a million hectares; protects infrastructure, people, property and agriculture to the tune of £58bn; and redirects water almost 100 miles into south Essex, against gravity’s pull. We explore: 🔗 Why this 400-year-old plus engineered landscape is a national lifeline, guarding against sea-level rise and water shortages while feeding the UK. ⛈️ The "perfect storm" of climate threats: By 2040, a 2°C temperature rise could trigger compounding floods, droughts, and ecological collapse. 🤝 How the Fens 2100+ partnership pioneers adaptation—balancing farming, biodiversity, and community resilience. 🎓Why educators of all sorts, not just Geographers, must spotlight this hidden hero: "Without Denver, Cambridge would be underwater." Featured Links: - Climate Ambassadors (https://climateambassadors.org.uk) - Fens 2100+ Programme (https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/fens2100) - Denver Complex Visualised Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk1Kir8rJqw) - Fens Climate Risk Assessment - Tyndall Centre (https://tyndall.ac.uk/reports/the-uk-fens-climate-change-risk-assessment-big-challenges-and-strategic-solutions/) - Future Fens Integrated Adaptation (FFIA) (https://awinnovationhub.co.uk/project/future-fens-integrated-adaptation-ffia/) - The Ely-Ouse-Essex Water Transfer Scheme (https://greatbradley.weebly.com/water-transfer-scheme.html) Connect with Louise, Amy & Katie via their linked in profiles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-wilson-7889a472/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-shaw-64036734/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-teesdale-ward-4b76929/ #FloodResilience #WaterSecurity #ClimateAdaptation #Fens2100 #EastAnglia #GeographyTeacher #EnvironmentalEngineering #UKInfrastructure #ClimateAction #Podcast #Fens #DenverSluice #ClimateAmbassadors ### About Coffee & Geography The aim of ‘Coffee & Geography’ is to get to know, explore and celebrate the diverse & intersectional range of people and their love for the world. If you're interested in being a guest or want to find out more, then visit https://geogramblings.com/coffee-geography-podcast. There you will also find an interactive map to explore the locations of guests and the brews that they drink! Music: 'Spark of Inspiration' by Shane Ivers (www.silvermansound.com/) ### How you can support the podcast and continue the conversation - Follow us on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/geogramblings.com and the hashtag #CoffeeGeogPod - Post a listener question for guests using #GeogQOverABrew - Rate, review (ratethispodcast.com/coffeegeogpod) and subscribe to the podcast via your preferred platform. - Support Geogramblings education efforts by donating at ko-fi.com/kitrackley - Switch your energy provider to Octopus Energy via this link: https://share.octopus.energy/reed-foal-15. Any referral rewards will go towards Geogramblings education efforts.